Barn cleaning apparatus



Nov. 5, 1957 H. M. WENGER 2,812,055

' BARN CLEANING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 50, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 5, 1957 H. M. WENGER 2,812,055

BARN CLEANING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 30, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 5, 1957 H. M. WENGER 2,812,055

' BARN CLEANING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 50, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet s Fig. 3

Nov. 5, 1957 H. M. WENGER 2,812,055

BARN CLEANING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 30, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 2,812,055 Patented Nov. 5, 1957 BARN CLEANING APPARATUS Harvey M. Wenger, Terre Hill, Pa.

Application September 30, 1954, Serial No. 459,369

Claims. (Cl. 198-224) This invention relates to barn cleaning apparatus, particularly to the mechanism for operating one or more conveyors, and has for an object the provision of a single hydraulic power unit for successive and automatic operation of hydraulic cylinders respectively associated with each conveyor.

The present application is a continuation-in-part of my application Serial No. 321,555, filed November 20, 1952, and now abandoned and entitled Barn Cleaning Apparatus.

The present invention includes many of the features of United States Patent No. 2,533,676 dated December 12, 1950. In the apparatus of that patent the driving mechanism was for a time quite similar to that disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,593,470 and comprised a chain 62 by means of which the desired long stroke of the conveyor was accomplished. Such a mechanical driving mechanism is not only expensive, but a separate mechanism is required for each conveyor. In the modern dairy barn there are generally a plurality of rows of stalls for cows, thus necessitating a gutter for each row of stalls, these gutters emptying into a main cross-gutter which extends outwardly of the barn for removal of the litter therefrom.

In accordance With the present invention, only a single electric motor need be utilized to drive a single pump. In accordance with the invention, a single control apparatus is efiective automatically to reverse the direction of movement of each of a plurality of pistons, but only after the last hydraulic cylinder has had its piston actuated to complete a conveyor-actuating stroke. More particularly, there is disposed in each of the gutters or troughs a reciprocating bar having pivoted paddles connected thereto. A hydraulically operated piston for each bar is connected thereto for reciprocatory movement thereof. Preferably, the paddles are positively actuated to their litter-moving positions, and thereafter they are bodily transported along the trough or gutter to move the litter toward the main gutter or outwardly of the barn.

The cylinders associated with each gutter are preferably arranged in parallel with respect to the flow of liquid from the pump and from the common control mechanism. Thus the piston associated with the paddle ofiering the least resistance to movement is first actuated from one limit of the stroke to the opposite limit. Thereafter, the next piston offering the next least resistance to movement is actuated. When the last piston of the group is actuated, a valve responds to the rise in back pressure automatically to transfer the flow to the opposite ends of 'the pistons whereupon the return stroke is initiated first with one piston and then in turn with the remaining pistons. Additional refinements are provided which will be fully outlined in the more detailed description which follows.

In addition to the foregoing details, and supplemental to the stated objects of the invention, other objects and advantages will appear as there are outlined the further details of construction and operation in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l diagrammatically illustrates a top plan view illustrating the manner in which the invention has been applied to a barn gutter system for cleaning a main gutter into which litter is fed by a plurality of lateral or auxiliary gutters;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the paddle flight-actuating mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of one form of the hydraulic operating system;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred form of the control unit, there being diagrammatically shown therewith two of the hydraulic cylinders controlled thereby; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional View taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

Referring now to Fig. 1, there is shown more or less diagrammatically a portion of the floor of a barn or the like which includes litter troughs or gutters 10, 11 and 12 extending laterally from a main gutter 13 disposed at a somewhat lower level to receive litter from each of the gutters 10, 11 and 12. The areas 14 and 15 in general include feeding bins. The cleaning unit of gutter 10 includes a plurality of paddles or flights, two of which, the paddles or flights 16 and 17, being identified by reference characters. The paddles or flights are actuated by a hydraulic cylinder 18 in manner later to be described. The operation is such that litter from gutter 10 is transported to the main gutter 13. Operation of the cylinders 18, 19, 2d and 21 occurs in succession but not in any given order. The cylinder 21 for the main gutter 13 actuates paddles or flights which may be somewhat longer than those of the laterally extending gutters, though in all other respects the manner of operation will be identical. The actuating member from cylinder 21 is preferably extended to and connected with an overhead type of conveyor 22 which extends outwardly from the barn and is inclined upwardly for discharge of its contents from an opening into a manure spreader or other suitable hopper. The overhead type of conveyor may be of the type shown in United States Patent No. 605,621, dated June 14, 1898, and comprises a plurality of vertically extending flights or paddles 23 pivoted along horizontal axes and functioning in generally similar manner to the paddles or flights associated with each of the abovedescribed gutters or troughs.

For a more detailed understanding of the operation of the flights or paddles 16 and 17, reference may now be made to Fig. 2 in which it will be observed that an act-uating rod 30 from cylinder 18 is connected by the yoke 31 and pin 32 to an actuating plate 33 pivoted at 34 to a triangular shaped member 35 welded to an angleactuating member 36. Actuator plate 33 is provided with a slot 33a through which extends a pivot pin 37, this pin likewise extending through a plate 38 suitably secured as by bolts to a rod 39. The paddles 16 and 17 are mounted on vertically disposed pivots 41 and 42, the pivots or pivot pins being secured to and carried 'by the angle-actuating member 36.

, It will now be assumed that hydraulic liquid is applied to the left-hand end of cylinder 18 to move the rod 30 to the right. Through the yoke 31 the actuating plate 33 is rotated about pivot 34 which temporarily will remain stationary. The rotation of plate 33 about the pivot 37 and through plate 38 will move the bar 39 in a right hand direction as viewed in Fig.2. As a result of the movement of bar 39 an angle-member 44 will engage an extension 16a of paddle 16. As the bar 39 is moved to the right, the angle-member 44 will positively actuate the paddle 16 for rotation in a clockwise directionand left-most position. pleted a stroke for its associated paddles remains at standtoward the open position. The right-hand side of Fig.2 illustrates the bar 39 with its right-hand movement completed and with the paddle 17 in its fully opened position. In that position it abuts against a stop member 45. As the paddle 16 is moved to its fully opened position, the inclined lower surface 33b of member 33 is moved downwardly against the upper surface of bar 39. When the two surfaces engage further right-hand movement of piston rod 30 results in movement of the angle-actuating member 36 to which the paddles 16 and 17 are pivotally secured. Thus the stop-members, only one of which, the member 45, has been illustrated, and the pivot pins 41 and 42 bodily move the paddles 16 nd 17 alon the trough to move the litter forwardly ahead of them,

After completion of the forward portion of the stroke,

- the hydraulic fluid to cylinder .18 is reversed and rod 30 is then moved in the left-hand direction .to rotate the plate 33 in a counterclockwise direction. When the lower surface 330 of plate 33 engagestheupPQr surface of rod 39, the angle-member 36 and the paddles 16 and 17 are bodily moved to the left. The paddles are then free to rotate in a counterclockwise direction and to the folded positions as illustrated by the position of paddle ,16. Litter in the trough or gutter engaging the back of each paddle assures its movement to the folded position in which it slides under any litter in the gutter in preparation for the next litter-moving action.

In typical installations the stroke in each direction may b as great as .six feet, such a long stroke having been quite satisfactory in many installations.

Referring now to Fig. 3, one form of a suitable fluid pressure actuating system comprises a fluid reservoir 50 from which liquid is applied from a suction conduit 51 to a pressure pump 52 operated by an electric motor 53. Liquid under pressure is thus supplied from the pump 52 by means of a fluid-delivery conduit 54 having a pressure relief valve 55 therein. Fluid or liquid is returned to the tank and pump by areturn conduit 56. The control mechanism 58 includes distributing valves for branch conduits 61 and 62 leading to the hydraulic cylinders, only two of which, .18 and 19, are shown in Fig. 3. The

.device identified at may be considered a control or distributing .valve, while the device identified by the reference character 65 may be considered a servo-motor for controlling the valve 64.

With the parts in the position shown, liquid under pressure is supplied by way of relief valve 55 and by way -of conduits 54 and 6,6 to the mid-portion of valve 64. The liquid then flows through conduit 61 to the left-hand .ends

of hydraulic cylinders 18 and 19. The piston 18a of cylinder 18 is shown fully actuated to its right-most position, while the piston 19a of cylinder 19 is shown in its Thus, the piston 18a having comstill, and the piston 19a is then moved by the application .of the pressure to its right-most position.

As piston 19a is moved to the right, liquid is returned from the right-hand side of piston 19a by way .of conduits 70 and 62 through the right-hand chamber of valve 64 and through conduits 71 and 56 to the supply tank 50.

Assuming only two hydraulic cylinders, as shown in Fig. 3, as soonas the piston 19a is moved to its n'ghtmost position, the pump 52 will continue to supply fluid and the pressure will rapidly rise in lines or conduits 54, 66 and 61. The rise of pressure in line 61 is applied by way of conduit 72 to the interior of valve casing 73.

When thepressure within the casing exceeds the force developed by the spring 7311 the ball valve opens for applica- -tionof the pressure through conduit 74 into the housing duit 76totheright-hand end of theicontrol plunger 64a of valve 64. Thus, the plunger 64a is positively moved to the left by the application of the full pressure of the pump 52 to the right-hand end thereof.

With the plunger 64a in its left-most position, fluid flow from the pump and conduits 54 and 66 is by way of the central chamber of valve 64 and through conduits 62 and 70 to the right-hand ends of hydraulic cylinders 18 and 19. The one offering the least resistance to movement is first actuated to its left-hand position. Upon the completion of the stroke by the remaining piston, the pressure in lines 70, 62 and 80 rises and is applied to the interior of valve casing 81. When the pressure overcomes that of the force of spring 81a, the ball valve opens and the fluid pressure is applied through conduit 83 to the left-hand end of control plunger 65a to move it to the right. Thus, there is transfer of the pressure from the right-hand end of plunger 64a to the left-hand end thereof to move it to the illustrated position to initiate a further stroke of the pistons and associated rods. It may be observed that when the plunger 64a is in its lefthand position with the pistons 18a and 19a moving to. the left, the hydraulic fluid is returned by way of conduits 85 and 61, and 56 to the supply tank 50.

With the foregoing understanding of the principles of the hydraulic system, reference will now be had to Figs. 4 and 5 where a preferred form of that mechanism has been illustrated. The mechanism as a whole is characterized by its one-piece construction. A single block .of steel .or the like is drilled to form cylinders 91 and 92, the cylinders being closed by suitable end plugs 93. The spools 94 and 95 in genenalcorrespond with spools 65a .and 64a of the modification of Fig. 3, but each of spools or control plungers 94 and 95 include four lands instead of the three illustrated in Fig. 3.

The construction will best be understood in terms of operation of the system. Assuming the application of 'liquid pressure by way of conduit 54 from the pump, the ,flowiis by way of the central chamber 96, the passage 97 -a second central chamber 98 associated with spool 95 and by way of conduit .61 .to the left-hand end of the hydraulic cylinder 18. A line 85 is shown extending to dhe .other hydraulic cylinder. 19 as from a branch line 99.. A second branch line 100 is illustrative of additional lines which maybe provided for any desired number of .cylinders for operating a multiplicity of gutter cleaners. 'The branch lines will preferably include valves 101 and '102for selective operation of the associated hydraulic cylinders. ,As illustrated, it will be seen that the piston 19a isbeing moved to the right in preference ,to movementtof piston 18a. When both pistons have been moved tojtheir extreme right-hand positions, the pressure rises in .conduit 61, the ,rise in pressure being transmitted by way of conduit 72 ;to the 'valve casing 73 to operate the ball valve against the bias of the spring 73a. It will be observed that this spring can be adjusted as by the adjusting member 73bto ,predetermine the pressure required for .theopening of the valve. The spring 73a may ;be a relatively strong one as compared with the spring 73c which maintains normally closed the other ball valve. The size or strength of spring 73a is such that adequate pressure is developed on each piston to assure operation thereof from one extreme position to the other.

As soon as the ball valve is operated against the pressure of spring 73a, fluid under pressure is admitted by conduit 74 against the left hand end of spool 94 to move it to-the right. As spool 94movesto the right, liquid is displaced through conduit 104, the ball valve opening against the bias of spring 81b within the valve housing .81, the liquid then flowing .by .way of conduit 105 and .into conduit .62. The flow .of liquid is then into the chamber 106 and outwardly through an opening 107 flow- -connected :to ;the supply tank 50, shown in "Fig. 3 but tomitted infigxd. ltmay herebe observed that aspistons 718a :and .tl9a.ar.c moved .to th s t h e i r u n flow of. liquid through conduit 70, branch line 108 and con{ duit 62 to the chamber 106 and thence by opening 107 to the supply tank.

As soon as the pressure is applied to the left-hand end of. spool 94, it is, of course, moved to its right-hand position and against the end of block 93. There is transfer of pressure from the conduit 110 which leads to the righthand end of spool 95 to a conduit 111 which leads to the left-hand end of spool 95. Thus the spool or controlling plunger 95 is immediately actuated to its right-hand position, the liquid at the right-hand end thereof being returned by way of line 113 to the left-hand chamber 114 of spool 94 and outwardly therefrom through the opening 115 and thence to the supply tank. Flow is thereby transferred from the central chamber 98 from conduit 61 to conduit 62 for return movement of the pistons 18a and 19a, with return flow of liquid through conduits 85, 99 and 61 through the left-hand chamber 116 of spool 95 and outwardly through opening 117 and thence to the supply tank.

The action on all parts is positive and fairly rapid. Thus when the last piston to be moved arrives at a limit of its movement a surge of back pressure frequently causes hydraulic hammer or a fairly loud noise in the pipes. In order to avoid the hydraulic hammer a fluid-com nection is made as by way of conduit 120 to the interior of valve casing 121. The valve is opened against the bias of a strong spring 122 permitting a small amount of the liquid to pass by way of conduit 123 either to the storage tank by conduit 124 or to a conduit 125, depending upon how the two-way valve 126 is set. It has been found that the pressure relief valve 121 will avoid completely the hydraulic hammer and the objectionable noise and shock resulting therefrom.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the valve 126 may be turned to admit liquid to conduit 125 which, it will be observed, is flow-connected to the conduit 113. The reason for the foregoing connection is to provide fool proof operation and to provide assurance against a possible condition in which both of the spools or control plungers 94 and 95 might accidentally occupy positions mid-way of the bores or cylinders 91 and 92. If such cylinders were to be in their exact mid-positions, the system would be on dead-center, or would occupy positions in which the system would temporarily be inoperative. Even without the flow-connection, however, the starting and stopping of the pump-motor is generally adequate to produce a slight shift of one or the other of the spools to reestablish normal operation. The accidental displacement of the spools to dead-center has rarely occurred, and the connection through conduit 125 provides extra assurance that such occasional difiiculty will never arise. By providing the return connection, an abnormal rise in pressure within the central chambers would be transmitted by way of conduit 120, valve 121, conduit 123, valve 126 and conduits 125 and 113 to move the spool 95 to the left and thus assure its movement from any dead-center position. Thereafter, normal operation will be resumed.

To avoid a further difficulty sometimes experienced, it is to be observed the plungers have axially extending passages flow-connected with the flow chambers at the extreme ends thereof. For example, the flow passage 128 connects the chambers 106 and 116 and for the following purpose. or spool 95 into chamber 116 and should then leak past the end-land or piston-like structure into the end-zone, a pressure would be developed which would move the spool to the right. Such an operation cannot occur since any leakage into chamber 116 will be removed by way of passage 128, the flow being directly into chamber 106 and outwardly through the passage 107 to the supply tank. The passage 129 performs the same function for the spool 94 with an outlet passage 130 being provided for the return flow to the storage tank.

Should liquid leak past the land of plunger of the hydraulic operators including cylinders and pistons being operated one after the other to actuate the flights or blades to move the litter along each associated troughor gutter and from the main gutter 13, Fig; 1, outwardly of the barn through the inclined elevated portion of the conveyor labeled 22. The several hydraulic actuators 18, 19, 20 and 21 will be operated in succession though in the order in'which resistance to movement is less, the one with the least opposition to movement operating first, and the one with the greatest opposition to'movement being the last to function. Ordinarily, this would be the hydraulic actuator 21 which upon completion of its stroke and the continued action of the pump causes the pressure in the responsive device 73 to rise and operate the control mechanism to reverse the fluid flow to all of thehydraulic actuators.

By utilizing hydralic actuators, each hydraulic cylinder and piston can be made as long as desired, sixto eight feet by way of example. They are relatively small in diameter and lend themselves to direct attachment on the supporting angle 132 which itself is bolted or otherwise secured to the sides of the concrete gutter trough. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the cylinder 18 rests upon an angle 133 welded to the top surface of the supporting angle 132. The right-hand end of cylinder 18, not shown in Fig. 2, terminates in a clevis similar to the clevis or yoke 31 and is bolted to a stationary member also welded to the frame 132.

What is claimed is:

l. A barn cleaning apparatus comprising a plurality of troughs, a reciprocating bar having pivoted paddles disposed in each said trough, a hydraulically operated piston for each said bar connected thereto for reciprocatory movement thereof, means including lines for respectively applying hydraulic fluid under pressure to each opposite sides of said piston, a cylinder for each said piston, said means including flow connections and valves for controlling flow of the hydraulic fluid selectively first to one of said lines and then to the other of said lines for application of pressure first to one end of each of said cylinders and then to the other end of each of said cylinders, and pressure-responsive valves included in said flow connections operable in response to a rise in pressure in lines due to the movement of all of said pistons to one end of their respective strokes for transferring the flow of hydraulic fluid to reverse the movement of said pistons.

2. In combination with a hydraulic operator including a cylinder and'a piston mounted therein for reciprocation, lines connected to each end of said cylinder for flow of hydraulic liquid thereto and therefrom, control means for said piston comprising supporting structure having a pair of bores, plungers disposed in each of said bores, said plungers having three reentrant portions forming chambers spaced laterally one from the other, said supporting structure having a passageway interconnecting the intermediate chambers with said plungers in any position in said bores, each of said plungers having a fluid passageway interconnecting the chambers at opposite ends thereof, said supporting structure having openings which with said plungers in one limiting position in said bores communicate with the chambers at corresponding ends of said plungers and having openings which communicate with the chambers at the opposite ends of said plungers when they are in the other limiting position in said bores for preventing rise of pressure at the respective ends of said plungers upon occurrence of leakage from said central chamber toward the end chambers, said fluid connections to opposite ends of said cylinder extending through said supporting structure and positioned relative to one of said plungers for transfer of the flow connections from said central chamber to one of said fluid connections with the plunger in one limiting position and to the other of said fluid connections with the plunger in 7 the other of its limiting positions, means ope able oo rise .of liquid pressure aboye 111a; normally nequ iregl to move said pistonior agimltting fluid Lo 15% end n fiQn f one of said plungers for positive actuation thereof from one limiting position to the other limiting position, and a fluid connection opened by said lay-named moyement of said plunger for admitting fluid under pressure Lo moye the other of said p nngers f om o e o ts limi i po itions to the other limiting position. 7

3. The comb nati e onh in cl im 2 in w ich th r is a fluid eonneelion to said central chamber, a pressure li f val rmally os n said 11 K s n s n and p r b up p cs u e sur o PLQY D' hxdra -lis hamm i h sys em- 1 4- Th mmh n l o s t fo m i ic aim 2 i w i ai pr su -;s1 o iv me ns -i 1 l S a a e b as t t closed position and ope 'able upon actuation of said plungers for flow of liquid from bores.

h elim nation e fwlh n q aim 2 in wh a p a ty q lin ts an P s on a e q nnect din P lle to a fl i cpnne ion sai piston being pe e 0 1$ fte he othe from one limi o mqvs mt 4.0 he 991 mit pfmovem w ih n th messing q liuere. ei pressure-responsive valve responding to g gise qi Q aygirggli c PI L I i y af e t e l s P S Q 19 h sie ed mm 91 mi i q itimi th o er mis us ms sn 19 everse s i id onneq for q s a qn 9f $21k? (P355929 in ir pp t si w ns o 1 ww w im ts 9? ihri movements.

Re e en e Cited n the fi e 91 pa nt UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,952,690 St rorn Ma 22, 1934 2,446,611 Rose Aug. 10, 1948 2,593,340 Petraske A r, 15,1952 2,675,121 Miller App 13, 1954 2,698,517 Witt Jan. 4, 1-955 FOREIGN PATENTS 640,642 Great Britain July 26, 195.0 992,359 France July 11, 1951 

